The Cameron University Collegian: September 24, 2012

Collegian T he Cameron University

Monday, September 24, 2012

Sports

Tennis Aggie tennis team warms up for regionals with scrimmage.

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www.aggiecentral.com

Cameron unveils new home for convergence

Volume 87 Issue 2

News

Food service Students sound off about new offerings available from Sodexo.

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Voices

Crossroads

Health Medical care available for people with low income or no insurance.

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Election season Voters encouraged to vote for the candidate, not the party.

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A&E

Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs

Sports

Opening new doors: Ole Kim welcomes those in attendance to the newly renovated Academic Commons. The dedication ceremony took place on Sept. 19 and showcased the new features offered to students, faculty and staff

James Meeks

Theatre preview Cameron theatre season kicks off with laughs and mishaps.

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Last semester a plan was developed and work began on Staff Writer what is now a fully-renovated Cameron University held building meeting the needs of a dedication ceremony for the Greek life and providing for Academic Commons on Sept. students working and studying 19. The event marked part two in journalism. of the Extreme Makeover CU “So how do you transform Edition. ‘the world’s ugliest building’ The Academic Commons and turn it into a vibrant was previously the Clarence state-of-the-art functional Davis Student Union. Some academic building?” President in the community dubbed it Ross asked. “Well you need “the world’s ugliest building.” a plan, but regardless of how

great that plan may be, it cannot become reality without visionary, generous people.”

With donors and a plan in place, everyone went to work on the new building. Contractors began remodeling, students prepared for the move and instructors planned on how to bring both of the media together.

President Ross said: “The facility houses a state-of-theart computer laboratory, a

student tutoring center for multiple academic disciplines, a campus-wide information technology help desk, modern classrooms, and Cameron’s cutting-edge convergence journalism program, uniting Cameron’s print, television and online production capabilities in one location.

See COMMONS Page 2

Volleyball Aggies face Dallas Baptist University in home opener on Sept. 18 Page 8

Obamacare takes center stage at CU Tiffany Martinez

contacted both parties, asked who would be the best News Editor speaker on health care issues Citizens of Lawton and took it from there.” joined CU students and Sen. Johnson embraced faculty in the Center of PPACA, an act some might Emerging Technology and be more familiar with as Entrepreneurial Studies last “Obamacare.”

Friday in hopes of learning “This policy is alive and more about the recent health real and the law of the land care legislation, the Patient at this time,” Sen. Johnson Protecting and Affordable said. “It has a great focus Care Act. on the funding of programs The public forum began to educate Americans on at 10 a.m. and featured seven preventable diseases, and panelists from different areas Americans need information of Oklahoma. The keynote and education ahead of time speakers of the panel were to prevent these illnesses.”

State Senator Constance N. Sen. Johnson also Johnson, a Democrat from said that PPACA will District 48, and Matt Pinell, help cut down the cost of Chair of the Oklahoma State prescriptions for elderly Republican Party. patients, as well as allow Dr. Syed Ahmed, the people with preexisting Director of the Business conditions to have healthcare Research Center and a coverage. professor of Economics, was Chairman Matt Pinell, the man behind the scenes however, stood firm in of this public forum, as the belief that the costs of well as many other forums PPACA will outweigh its conducted on campus. benefits.

“This is a very important “The people need to do and controversial issue that research,” Chairman Pinell our country is facing right said. “Obamacare may sound now,” Dr. Ahmed said. “I great, but people need to wanted to make sure we had look at the numbers. There a balance — to make sure are a lot of numbers there, the issue could be discussed and they matter.” in more of a bipartisan While Chairman Pinell manner — so I chose the did not deny the point that speakers carefully. It’s healthcare needed to be important that people hear reformed in America, he both sides.” did continuously express his Dr. Ahmed said that he feelings of disappointment had spent the previous two with the PPACA plan. months planning out the “I do not think this was event. an evil plan,” Chairman “We targeted senators,” Pinell said, “but make no Dr. Ahmed said. “We

mistake, this is a bad plan,” Aside from the Democratic and Republican keynote speakers, opinions differed among the panel.

The other five individuals that made up the rest of the panel, in descending speaking order, included: Wallace Collins, Chair of the Oklahoma State Democratic Party; Jonathan Small, Fiscal Policy Director, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs; Kate Richey, Policy Analyst, Oklahoma Policy Institute; Steve Hyde, CEO of Southwestern Medical Center; and Toby Pedford, CEO of Legacy Wealth Strategies Group.

Issues that intertwined with the national healthcare reform, such as the effects that the PPACA may have on medical professionals and the idea that requiring individuals to acquire health insurance has been deemed unconstitutional, were also touched on.

When the question-andanswer session began after each panelist spoke, many members of the audience asked questions and voiced opinions. A former U.S. Marine approached the panelist bench at one point during the session, handing out flyers with an image of his dead wife and her initials. He then spoke in favor of PPACA, explaining how he lost his wife to cancer because their insurance company denied his wife coverage after she was

Photo by Tiffany Martinez

Addressing the issues: State Senator Constance N. Johnson and Wallace Collins, Chair, Oklahoma State Democratic Party, discuss PPACA with an audience member.

The public forum over health care reform was held at the CETES building Sept. 14. diagnosed with the illness.

The man raised his voice toward individuals on the panel who opposed PPACA, and accused Chairman Pinell of “selling his soul to the devil.” He said that if a healthcare plan such as the PPACA would have existed beforehand, his spouse might still have been alive.

Sixty-seven-year-old, Barbara Harrison of Lawton, also vocalized her beliefs concerning the piece of legislation.

“Since this law directly affects me, it has become very important to me. I have read the Affordable

Care Act and I understand that it is not the end-all for healthcare,” Harrison said.

“It is quite similar to the Constitution to me. These are both living, breathing documents — and so they can and have to change better fit our country and our people. I know this bill is not perfect, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Harrison said she is passionate about PPACA because elderly and retired citizens need a healthcare plan such as this.

“It affects me — and a lot of older Americans

who are the only breadwinners in their family — personally,” said Harrison.

“My healthcare may cost me about the same as it did when I worked, but my income is not the same. That is a huge factor.”

The forum’s unified theme, though, was the encouragement of registering to vote and exercising that right to vote.

“This isn’t about politics,” Sen. Johnson said. “This is about you — what matters to you, what affects you and what you are willing to do about it.”

2

News

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

New CU Faculty-in-Residence Kaylee Jones

Collegian Intern Dr. Thomas D. Balmer became the new Facultyin-Residence at Cameron University for the Fall of 2012. He began as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in January before being appointed to his new position in July.

He was teaching at another university when he was contacted with an offer for a teaching position at Cameron.

“I got a call saying, ‘We have a position open, would you be interested in a position?’ A light came on and I went, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to come over here and be part of this incredible program,’” Dr. Balmer said.

He currently teaches four graduate-level classes at CU. Both he and his wife, Denise, a hospice chaplain, live on campus in a 2-bedroom apartment attached to the McMahon Center.

Apart from his usual duties as a professor, he has taken it upon himself to act as a mentor to the students on campus as the new Faculty-in-Residence.

“Denise and I pretend that we’re sort of the grandparents of all the

little grand babies that are walking around that are 18, 20, 40, or however old they are,” Dr. Balmer said.

He seeks to encourage students by sharing his personal experiences.

“I graduated in the bottom quarter of my high school class. I went to my counselor and he said, ‘You need to join the military.

You’ll never make it in college,” Dr. Balmer said. “I didn’t care about school so I was not a very good student.

I think the military helped me to understand that I am smart. Here I am, I have a Ph.D. and I love to learn.

It was a long haul for me to get from the bottom quarter of my class to a 4.0 in my doctorate work.”

Another perk of the new position is the living accommodations. He and his wife like to joke that the cafeteria is their kitchen.

“Living on campus is really pretty cool. I tell people, ‘That’s my pond.

That’s my front yard.’ We like getting to know the police officers, especially when we lock ourselves out,” Dr. Balmer said.

His primary goal for the semester is to get the lay of the land.

“Denise and I are making sure to have contact with all

the RA’s,” he said. “We have 14 RA’s this semester. We attended freshman move in day. We’ve already noticed we have students that are here all the time. We’re just figuring out what the needs of the campus are.”

Another one of his goals is to encourage personal fitness and health for students. Healthy habits have always been a priority of his.

“We need to do a better job at teaching people how to eat and exercise.”

He also said he loves that the campus is tobacco free, but envisions more positive change at CU in the future.

“Wouldn’t it be neat if all the machines on campus were filled with good food and you had to wait in line to get into the fitness center? I want to live in a world like that,” he said.

Dr. Balmer and his wife will likely be spotted walking around campus, holding hands. He said that they are often mistaken as newlyweds.

“Every day is a brand new and incredible day for us,” he said. “We want to make Photo by Kaylee Jones sure people see that and that it’s available. There’s Home is where the heart is: Dr. Thomas Balmer has recently become so much brokenness in the world, we want to show that CU’s faculty-in-residence for the 2012-2013 school year. His favorite part about the job is mentoring the students, alongside his wife and fellow colleagues. true love really does exist.”

required to select one of their creative works that would then be submitted to several literary journals.

“As part of the end of the semester obligation … the students prepare a manuscript to be sent out for publication,” Dr. Morris said.

Stringham’s “Invisible Man in the Black Bag,” Shannon’s “Blowing Bubbles,” Farah’s “And the Chemicals React,” and Copeland’s “Astronomy Elegy” or “In Da Club” were all accepted for publishing because of Morris’s course requirements.

Stringham, a junior English major, said that his work,

“Invisible Man in the Black Bag,” is his first piece to be accepted for publication. He recalled feeling apprehensive when he was told about the course requirement, a childhood memory kept coming to the forefront of his mind.

“I was nervous,” he said.

“The first time I tried to ride a bike I fell off and then I did not try again for month. I was kind of fearful that it would be the same thing, that if I got completely rejected the whole way through that I would never submit again, or at least not for a long time, and I did not want

Students published in arts journal Amanda Goemmer Staff Writer

Four Cameron University students have successfully submitted their individual works to the interdisciplinary arts journal “Crosstimbers.”

CU’s Dr. John Morris instructed each of those students in the art of poetry, and is directly responsible for the course requirement that led those students to see their work in print.

According to Dr. Morris, students Carson Stringham, Seth Copeland, Sadia Farah, and Devon Shannon were

that to happen.”

Stringham is thankful to Dr. Morris for teaching a course that requires student to submit a creative work for publication.

“Had I been left to my own devices about trying to get published I am not sure that I would have done as well as I did,” Stringham said. “I am really grateful to Dr. Morris for making that part of the curriculum.”

Being published has given Stringham confidence in his ability, prompting him to consider participating in competitions on campus.

“Now that I have got my first

piece published it motivates me to turn more stuff in,” he said.

“I actually have been planning on doing some of the poetry contests and the essay contests here on campus too.”

Stringham intends to hone his skill, and hopes to be published again someday.

“Being published proves that I do have the talent and the ability to write well,” he said. “I want to build on that.”

According to Stringham, one of the best things about getting work accepted is the idea that someone outside of an academic setting, and in the professional world, believes

that his work is worthy of publication.

“It is the motivation from knowing that someone outside of the classroom recognizes my talent and is willing to go ahead and publish my work,” Stringham said.

Dr. Morris said that aspiring writers should not give up trying to get their work published, even if they are denied publication on more than one occasion.

“Good poems are not always accepted for various reasons,” he said, “just keep with it, and send it out again, and someone will say yes.”

COMMONS continued from Page 1 Following the introduction from President Ross, CUTV News Producer and News Editor of the Cameron Collegian Tiffany Martinez shared her story of her CU career as well how the building has met the needs of students.

“Upon pressure from two worrisome parents, I enrolled at CU in the summer of 2008 as a Communication Major with an emphasis in Radio/Television,” Martinez said.

“It was then that I met my brilliant adviser, Dr. Matt Jenkins.”

Martinez continued by saying her first two years of college were spent getting pep talks from Dr. Jenkins and that those very conversations would motivate her like no other mentor could.

As her journey into convergence continued with the art of broadcast under her belt, she would continue onto the next branch, traditional print journalism.

“In the fall of 2010, I received my first by-line in the Cameron Collegian,” Martinez said. “I must have spelt my name out a million times in the span of 20 years, but never had it read so beautifully.”

As the semesters progressed, Martinez reached her junior year and was faced with a decision on which path of media she should choose.

“I had been carrying on quite the affair between print and broadcast, which have traditionally been on opposite ends of the media spectrum,” Martinez said.

Instead of choosing between print or broadcast, Martinez chose both loves to come together under one roof evolving this academic romance and spreading it to all the students. She said she hopes that future generations of Aggies will also be able to learn skill sets in different areas of media through the growing convergence program.

In the final part of the dedication in true Extreme Makeover fashion, a bus blocked the front of the building and as the crowd chanted “Move That Bus.” The Aggie Bus then drove off, unveiling to the audience the look of the new home of convergence journalism.

Photo by Matthew Berberea

Photo courtesy of Public Affairs

The crowd was then invited inside by CU mascot Ole Kim where they were greeted with food and refreshments.

The attendees and the regents walked the halls of the new home of convergence journalism to see print and film working side by side.

Attendees witnessed student Jack McGuire, host of The Pickaxe Report, film an episode as other students worked in the control room and operated cameras during the show.

Those in attendance also spoke with the newspaper editors in the convergence newsroom as they worked on the layout. for the upcoming issue.

(Above) Uniting forces: Senior Communication Major Tiffany Martinez spoke at the dedication ceremony on Wednesday evening. She believes in the idea of converging broadcast and print journalism efforts within the Academic Commons.

(Left) Moment of pride: President Cindy Ross embraces Martinez after her speech. Martinez gave a personal account of her story at Cameron.

3 News Food service explores international options September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

Kaylee Jones

Newswriting Intern The Cameron University food service team hopes to introduce students to new cuisine through several promotions being organized.

Explore India, Fall Fun and Hispanic Heritage are all promotions taking place this semester. These events will allow students to branch out from their day-to-day menu while providing the team with the opportunity to switch it up as well.

Daniel Ghrayyeb, General Manager of the Cameron University Sodexo Food Services, said the Sodexo team was introducing new events that would offer an opportunity to get feedback.

“We are starting Monday Night Football, which we will be showing on the big screen downstairs,” Ghrayyeb said. “We are constantly trying to evolve — we take what feedback we can get and go from there.”

Sodexo has also introduced a happy hour twice a day from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ghrayyeb said the most popular of the promotions so far has been the barbecue that is offered every Friday.

Not all of the proposals, however, have gone over as well with the students.

“We tried ‘Shrimp et tu fe’, which is popular at other schools,” Ghrayyeb said. “It was not here.”

Executive Chef Deborah Wilson, Ghrayyeb and the rest of the Sodexo team are responsible for feeding well over 700 students between the cafeteria and the McMahon Centennial Complex on a daily basis.

Wilson said her priority is to make sure the team is catering to the students needs.

“My main thing is to make sure all the students are happy,” Wilson said. “That is the reason we have a diversity of food, that we option the menus every week, every day. We do not just stick with one kind; we have varieties.”

The team has also turned to social media to help spread the word.

“We have a Facebook page,” Ghrayyeb said, “I think it has

Photo by Kaylee Jones

Make your voice heard: Sodexo is revamping its efforts to get student feedback through new promotions such as the addition of international cusine to the menu. been a little successful in reaching people so far.”

Both Ghrayyeb and Wilson said that the majority of the feedback they have received so far has been positive. However, Ghrayyeb acknowledged that not all of the students they reach are supportive.

“There are always going to be students that do not like the food,” Ghrayyeb said, “The majority of them have been pretty positive. A lot at times, even if they do not like it, they like that we are doing new things.”

Britany Pyfer, a Communication major and Senior at CU, admitted that she likes the intention of the promotions, but thinks more should be done.

“It is cool, but one day they offered the new food for lunch and not dinner,” Pyfer said, “Not everyone is going to eat that lunch.”

The team is making an effort to let students know that they are listening. Wilson said the team encourages students to contribute and bring in recipes of their own.

“If they offer something of their own to bring in, we will try to work with them,” Wilson said, “I ask for them to give me home recipes, and we try our best to make it.”

Wilson went on, explaining the team’s willingness to provide for students.

“They can always come to one of us, or whoever the cook is that day and ask for anything extra if they need it,” she said.

“We want to make them feel at home and make sure they are taken care of.

The MCC and cafeteria hours of operation can be found on the CU website, along with a daily menu and a quick survey for student feedback.

Islamic cleric Awad discusses religious liberty Amanda Goemmer Staff Writer

On Sept. 17, Cameron University celebrated Constitution Day and welcomed Muneer Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma (CAIR-OK), who discussed Shariah Law as well as the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s “Save our State Amendment.”

As the plaintiff in the case that challenged the amendment, Awad contended that the amendment was discriminatory and prevented individuals from freely practicing their religion — a basic human right that is guaranteed to all American citizens.

“It was denying Muslims the exact same rights that other people had under the Constitution,” Awad said.

Awad, as he began his speech, linked the intentions of those who proposed and supported the amendment to the intent behind the creation and dissemination of the antiIslamic video, “Innocence of Muslims.”

“What we see with this video is the same thing that was behind the amendment to ban Islamic principles of Shariah Law in Oklahoma… an organized effort to really demonize and defame Muslims and Islam, and it is not unique,” he said.

According to Awad, those who financed the video can also be tied to groups that have protested the construction of several mosques around the U.S., and that a struggle to build one such mosque is being fought very close to home.

“If we look at one of the main funders of the video we can see a direct relationship to the same groups of people that protested the construction of a mosque near ground zero, but also the same group of people that later moved on to protest the construction of mosques in Tennessee, California, Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida, and even most recently you see the same opposition in Edmund, Oklahoma,” he said.

Awad said that the Save our State Amendment impacted

more than just Muslims, because it would have banned Oklahoma courts from considering international law. The U.S. government recognizes American Indian tribes as domestic dependent nations; therefore, the amendment would have interfered with tribal law.

“Tribal laws happen to be international laws,” Awad said.

“A ban on international law would have been a ban on those as well.”

The fears surrounding Shariah Law are unfounded, Awad said, because Shariah is structured in such a way that it can be adhered to without interfering with the laws that currently exist in any given nation.

“People need to realize that Shariah mandates that Muslims respect the law of the land they live in,” Awad said.

“Shariah was not created to take over laws… it was created to coexist within laws.”

Politicians focus on Islam, Awad said, proposing legislation like the Save our State Amendment to gain favor in the political arena.

“We need for people to call out the bigotry and stop allowing it to be a part of our mainstream discourse,” he said. “Not only is it politically popular to attack Islam and Muslims, but it is politically unpopular to stand up for Islam and Muslims.”

According to Awad, some major media outlets portray Islam in a negative light, fueling the fire that drives those who support the Save our State Amendment.

“Fox News actually is really intertwined with the Islamophobia industry; they look for people that they can get on there and they really make a circus out of them,” he said.

“We would be lying to ourselves if we thought that the media did not have an objective.”

However, Awad said that there is a way for the public to change the way that Islam is perceived within the nation.

“I think that we have to create our own media, whether it is

Crossword

Across

1 Sitcom’s test episode 6 Sitcom interrupters 9 Holy Roman emperor crowned in CMLXII 14 In on, with “to” 15 Keg attachment 16 “Yep” 17 Corfu or Crete 19 Hopping mad 20 Close again, as a Ziploc bag 21 Volkswagen sedan 22 Scary Nile snakes 25 Salute heard at the Forum 27 Friend of Monica and Rachel on “Friends” 29 Dumbbell abbr.

30 Selfish sort 31 Snow-block home 34 Ab __: from day one 37 Classic Frances Hodgson Burnett children’s novel 40 CIA precursor 41 Arkin and Alda 42 Queen, in France 43 End of a professor’s email address 44 Makes sense 45 Once-common childhood ailment 51 Flower stalk

Photo courtesy of CU Public Affairs

Religious freedom: Muneer Awad talks about Sharia Law and religious liberty. CU recently hosted a Constitution Day discussion on campus. a blog, social media or newsletter,” he said.

Awad wrapped up his speech saying that the CAIR-OK believed that the courts would ultimately rule in their favor.

“We are confident that the courts will do what they have always eventually done, and that is uphold the Constitution,” he said. “Any ban on anyone’s religious rights is unconstitutional and the courts will overturn it.”

52 Boca __ 53 Young bird of prey 55 Primitive calculators 56 Entrée go-with, or the aptly placed part of 17-, 25-, 37- or 45-Across 60 Spiced rice dish 61 Cinque meno due 62 Prefix with -dactyl 63 Keep in the warehouse 64 IRS W-4 info 65 Saudi Arabia neighbor

Down

1 NBA scoring stat 2 Like some reduced mdse.

3 Commit perjury 4 Supervises 5 Trike rider 6 On the ocean 7 __ Lama 8 Wizard’s incantation 9 Séance accessory 10 Good scores on par-fours 11 “__ a wrap!”

12 “__ sight!”

13 “Word on the street is ...”

18 “__ Dead?”: Mark Twain play 22 Probably will, after “is” 23 Persian sovereigns 24 Jabs in the ribs

26 Thick-soled shoe 28 Serrated kitchen tool 31 Pension supplement, for short 32 First Bible bk.

33 USN officers 34 Keats, notably 35 Change of __: trial request 36 Early aft. hour 38 Game with rooms and weapons 39 Republican region, on a political map 43 Toyota Prius, e.g.

44 Wheel-supporting shaft 45 High roller’s game 46 Nun’s wear 47 __-Turkish War 48 Homes in trees 49 Sock purchases 50 Humorous poet Nash 54 Catch sight of 57 NASA moon craft 58 “We __ the World” 59 Mafia boss

Answers on Page 6

4

Voices

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

Vote for the person, not the party

Teewhy Dojutelegan News Editor THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief - Matthew Berberea News Editors - Teewhy Dojutelegan, Tiffany Martinez Crossroads Editor - Dianne Riddles A&E Editor - Sarah Brewer Sports Editor - Tyler Boydston Copy Editor - Alex Rosa-Figueroa Aggie Central Editors- Mitch Watson Archivist - Mitch Watson

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Amanda Goemmer, Lizzy Owoyemi Circulation Manager - Matt Thompson Advertising Manager - Matthew Berberea Photographers - Kali Robinson, Misty Neal

Newswriting Students

Charlene J. Belew, Jordan K. Godlewski, Terry I. Gonzalez, Mei Ling Grooms, Michaela D. Haire, Philip D. Harrington, Eloise A. Herbert, Dena N. Jennings, Kaylee M. Jones, Sadie L. Jones, Whitney N. Mefford, Jaime R. O’Bannon, Melissa C. Solis, Shelby M. Stancil, Kaitlyn M. Stockton, Carson B. Stringham, Matthew L. Thompson,Cindy A. Walter, Skylar D. Williams

Faculty Adviser

Dr. Christopher Keller

About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to collegian@ cameron.edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www. aggiecentral.com.

Our Views

The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author.

The unsigned editorial under the heading “Aggie Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

Having lived in the United States for the last three years of my life, I feel passionate about the political system of this country that I have come to call home. Even as a non-American, I have seen and heard my fair share of political banter.

For the past few months, my television has been saturated with ads and shows discussing the upcoming presidential elections, and like a lot of people, I am tired of them all.

Many people ask: “What makes a good candidate?”

I say his or her policies and beliefs, not race, or religion or lack thereof.

To me, personal attacks should not have to be used to know a good candidate.

The campaign should be done through facts, figures and clear and concise explanations of policies.

Both of the top running candidates and their parties have been given an opportunity to present their cases. From both the DNC and the RNC conventions, it appears the Republicans did not effectively use this opportunity.

A peanut throwing episode by members of the GOP, Paul Ryan’s stating of inaccurate facts and Clint Eastwood’s man-tochair conversation marred an event that had all the makings of a successful convention.

The DNC’s use of Russian Ships was however overshadowed by excellent speeches by San Antonio mayor, Julian Castro, First Lady Michelle Obama and former US President, Bill Clinton.

The GOP’s presidential candidate Mitt Romney is an excellent businessman.

I have no doubt that he will help boost the United

States’ economy. My fear, though, is his foreign policy knowledge.

On a trip to London during the Summer Olympics, Romney had negative remarks on the city’s readiness to host the games forcing the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister James Cameron to fire back a defensive response.

Politicians know not to insult leaders or countries that host them – that’s the first rule of foreign affairs.

Romney obviously did not know that.

In the event of an anti-Islamic movie which resulted in a lot of violent protests in Muslim countries and the death of the US ambassador to Libya,

Romney’s hasty reply of accusing the administration of being too apologetic goes a long way in showing his lack of foreign policy knowledge.

His latest public relations issue where a hidden camera captured him calling 47 percent of Americans who depend on the government “victims,” saying his job is not to worry about them and convince them to take personal responsibility for their lives confirms my belief that he is out of touch with ordinary people.

Although I feel that the Obama administration is making a difference, I agree that he has not done a perfect job in the almost four years he has held power.

For over three years, the unemployment rate has been over 8 percent although the August jobs report showed a decline in unemployment from 8.3 to 8.1 percent.

Even in this decline, the unemployment rate is still over the 6.8 percent inherited from the Bush Administration.

Obama’s vow to shut down Guantanamo Bay detention camp in 2008 has not been fulfilled and his plans for immigration reform has not been implemented. The increase in the National debt has also marred the Obama administration.

No one can agree totally with a political party.

Democrats do not agree

with all of the party’s policies neither do the Republicans. It is usually a give and take.

This is where compromise comes in. You take some, and you leave some. Elections should never degenerate to that point where “All is fair in love and war.”

In this election season, I encourage you not to vote according to party lines. Rather, I ask that you carefully analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, their policies and your beliefs and vote for the person that you are convinced will bring the most progress to the United States of America. God Bless America.

full month in order to raise $700,000, with various prizes and pledge rewards to incentivize donations.

Given half an hour, the Homestucks raised over $30,000. Given nine hours, the project was halfway funded. 23 hours later, the Kickstarter was fully funded as it reached $700,009, and the numbers have only climbed, with the project hitting $1,544,786 at time of writing.

As a “crowdsourcing” website specifically designed for raising funds for projects that would otherwise lack the big budget of the various

industries, Kickstarter is no stranger to a fandom’s sudden burst of money.

When gaming webcomic “Penny Arcade” began crowdsourcing to fund their plan for an advertisementfree website, the project doubled its $250,000 launch goal and became one of the highest funded projects on Kickstarter. Additionally record breaking was the “Order of the Stick” fundraiser, which raised an impressive $1,254,120 to reprint old books.

There is very little lasting power on the Internet, and fame is

f leeting — look no further than the lonely and huddled fans of the since-retired web-series “Homestar Runner” for a truly disheartening example of a mighty power fallen into obscurity. Nevertheless, at least for now, I think we can appreciate the ability for the internet to come together and raise over a million dollars — in seven days, no less — for the sake of a webcomic.

The Internet is truly an awe-inspiring place, and the people who inhabit it perhaps more so.

Fans donate cash by the truckload with f lash animations and interactive games spread throughout its 5,000 plus panel run. The story of “Homestuck” is a long, exponentially complicated series of twists, turns and Mobiusdouble-reacharounds, and its mere existence acts as a thorn in the collective sides of various corners of the Internet, who cite an overabundance of hype Alex Rosa-Figueroa and poor behavior from an Copy Editor unusual and vocal fanbase.

“Homestuck” has There are very few things engendered a fanbase that in life that are absolutely, has seemingly taken over positively certain. Life is a the internet. This fanbase buzzing, spinning state of has transformed buckets semi-benevolent chaos, and and the zodiac into obtuse concrete foundations are a inside jokes. This fanbase rare sight. One could argue managed to crash f lash that the only constant in life site Newgrounds in seven is change—and I would be minutes when an update inclined to believe them. f lash was uploaded to the There are, though, two site. This fanbase, during a facts of life that I will never hiatus in updates, fabricated question, that will never an anime, animation and all. change and may just break Most notable of all, me if I ever found out that this fanbase — these selfthey were contradicted. titled Homestucks — very The first is that I will never recently raised over one be able to raise a million million dollars in seven dollars in seven days. The days. second is that “Homestuck” On Sept. 4, 2012, fans are the finest quality of “Homestuck” creator insanity the Internet has to Andrew Hussie launched a offer. fundraising project through “Homestuck” is, in the the website Kickstarter author’s own words, an to raise money for a video illustrated, semi-animated game that would be based story on the Internet. in the same universe and The work goes beyond begin development once the constraints of the the comic properly ended. “webcomic” classification, The project started with a

5

A&E

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

CU stages laughs and mishaps James Meeks Staff Writer

The Cameron Theatre will be filled with more laughs than tears for the upcoming season, with a comedy new and old kicking off the theatre’s “Year of Manners and Comical Mishaps.”

The first comedy, titled ‘A Curious Mishap,’ will open on Sept. 28.

The play, which Professor Scott Richard Klein will direct, revolves around a poor French lieutenant and the Giannina, the daughter of a rich Dutch merchant.

Klein explained that the merchant, Philibert, tries to prevent the two lovers from getting married because he feels that the lieutenant is not a good match for his high-class daughter.

Throughout the play each character devises their own plan to reach their desired goals, but intersecting plans eventually lead to many mishaps.

“We meet the other girl, a friend of Giannina named Constanza,” Klein said. “Philibert tells her the French lieutenant loves her.”

This lie leads Constanza to fall in love with the poor

Photo by James Meeks

Falling over in love and laughter: (from left to right) The daughter of a rich Dutch merchant, played by Brandi Goldsmith, looks longingly past her scheming father, played by Alexander Huff, to her French lieutenant suitor, played by Brandon Landers. These student thesbians will peform in the first play of the 2012 Fall semester. soldier; however, she fears her father will not approve, which puts Philibert in the position of trying to convince her father to allow her to pursue the lieutenant.

According to Klein, the audience will relate to the play as the intricate plots unravel.

“Everyone faces the idea of whether their marriage will be accepted,” he said.

“We all hope that when we marry someone the person we picked is actually going to become a part of our family.”

After the play of misunderstandings and

mishaps comes the second play of the season, “Table Manners,” which is part of the Norman Conquests trilogy.

The unique part of this play is that all three parts of the trilogy actually take place within the same time frame; in one play, someone

could walk off stage only to enter the stage in another part.

According to Klein, there have been theaters that have run the entire trilogy at the same time, but the Theatre Department will only run this part of the trilogy.

Auditions for “Table

author Randal Kenan for the inaugural reading of the 20122013 Visiting Writer Series on the evening of Sept. 14 at the CETES conference center.

Kenan has written six books, including “The Fire

This Time,” “Walking on Water: Black American Lives at the Turn of the TwentyFirst Century,” “A Time Not Here: The Mississippi Delta,” “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead,” and “A Visitation of Spirits.” He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Whiting Writers Award, the Sherwood Anderson Award, the John Dos Passos Prize, and was the 1997 Rome Prize winner from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

He was awarded the North Carolina Award for Literature in 2005 and was elected to the Fellowship of Southern Writers in 2007.

Kenan is currently writing a novel set in North Carolina and New York City entitled “There’s a Man Going Round Taking Names,” and a collection of short stories, “If I had Two Wings.” In addition to writing, Kenan is an Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Introducing Kenan was friend and colleague Professor Hardy Jones. Jones and

Kenan met in 1989 while the former was an MFA student. According to Dr. Jones, Kenan offered insight that further exposed him to literature and writing.

Kenan then proceeded to read “When We All Get to Heaven,” a yet-unpublished short story he had finished writing over the summer. In the story, the main character travels to New York City and wanders through the bustling metropolis and meets English rocker Billy Idol.

The title refers to an old hymn, but Kendall said that the idea for the story arrived a long time ago from his love for pop culture.

“I actually like Billy Idol, but there is something kind ridiculous about him. When he released a comeback album after his heyday, I saw some interviews with him, and there was something about him that was so sad and poignant that struck me. I started imagining him encountering a character that I write about it and wondered if they would have things in common,”

Kenan said. “A lot of my fiction comes from slamming unlikely factors together and seeing what happens.”

“When We All Get to Heaven” contained certain qualities reminiscent of a performance, as if it were written with eyes and ears in mind. Kenan alternated between voices and sang snippets of songs while employing cadence and alliteration throughout his reading.

The audience focused on these musical attributes during a brief question and answer session. Kenan said different narration styles influenced the sound of his writing.

“I love free and direct narration, and that was a technique that Faulkner and Woolf and all of those cats used like breathing,” Kennan said. “It just seems so natural to me — narration colored by the main character’s voice and thoughts — and it just feels very much like the works that I grew up on.”

Kenan said gospel music

Manners” will be held on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

The musical, scheduled to open next semester, will provide a new challenge for the Theatre Department.

Last semester, during the production of “Grease,” the crew managed to roll a car onto the stage for the production. Part of the new musical will take place on a plane and Klein states they have yet to figure out how to get a plane onstage, but he has confidence the stage design crew will figure something out.

The CU Theatre Department also anticipates filling its new set of seats.

Klein explained how these seats will provide comfort for the audience while they attend plays.

“The old chairs were here since the building was built back in 1979, and after 30 years they lasted quite well,” Klein said. “When President Ross decided to do this, it really made the place look great.”

“A Curious Mishap” will open Sept. 27. Tickets are $10 for military, seniors and Cameron faculty and staff, $12 for all other adults and free to students with a valid CU ID.

Novelist Randall Kenan visits CU Sarah Brewer A&E Editor

English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta and the Department of English and Foreign Languages hosted

Photo by Sarah Brewer

For ears and minds: Visiting writer Randall Kenan reads from his brand new story, “When We All Get to Heaven.” He has received several awards for his works.

and the language of the Bible affected his writing style, as well as other favorite authors that would haunt his work in startling ways years later.

“I realized after a reading a review how Edgar Allen Poe had his fingertips all over the place,” he said. “I had completely forgotten how obsessed I used to be about Poe.” Kenan continued to say that aspiring writers needed to write many bad sentences before they can write good ones. He then affirmed his own advice, sharing how he developed as an author.

“I was originally interested in science fiction and was writing really bad novels in high school,” Kenan said.

“I think the more you do it, the less fear you have about experimenting and making mistakes and confronting the page. The more you fill up pages with words, the more confidence you get and the less intimidating it is. A lot of what you do as a writer is psychological.”

HULK SMASH: Student Activities hosts Movie Night Lizzy Owoyemi

day most students are not too busy.

Staff Writer “We are trying to keep Cameron University with a consistent way of Student Activities showed showing movies, so we “The Avengers” for its movie decided Tuesday was a pretty night on Sept. 13 in the good day,” she said. “Almost McCasland Ballroom. all our movies except for one Megan Canfield, Student will be shown on Tuesday.”

Activities Specialist in charge Cameron receives movies of the Programming Activity from a distributing company Council, explained the way called Swank motion pictures the movie process works at that licenses agents in venues Cameron. like colleges, where feature “PAC team would meet movies are shown publicly. to see upcoming movies and According to Canfield, 120 when they would be released,” students attended the last Canfield said. “The team organized movie night. picks four possible choices “The last movie night was and the team body who successful,” she said, “so we attended would vote and are trying to put the word out choose the movie they want and make sure we get more to see. That was how we chose students to attend. We hope the movie for the last movie it will get bigger and better night: “Snow White and the throughout the semester.”

Huntsman.”

Canfield said all the movie The PAC team decided nights are organized to create that Tuesday would be a good a fun and relaxing atmosphere day to show movies, Canfield for students after stressful explained, because on that classes.

“Movie nights are open to anyone who wants to watch, but it is basically for CU students,” she said. “There are people from the PAC team in charge of ordering movies, organizing food and making sure the room is set up. We make sure students have fun and enjoy themselves.”

The plan for the movie night all through the remaining semester depends on the movie from Swank.

“We do not know movies that would be shown all through the remaining semester,” she said. “Movies will depend on what we get from Swank. There will be a movie night in October and possible choices are ‘Dark Knight Rises’, ‘Spiderman’ and ‘Brave.’”

Daniel Ijigbamigbe, a junior Mathematics and Computer Science major, said the showing of “The Avengers” was better than the films that were shown last

year.

“The movie night was fantastic and better than last year,” he said. “The sound system, food and hall arrangement made it a better experience.”

Ijigbamigbe said that the timing for the movie night was perfect.

“One of the things I love about the movie night, apart from the free food, was the timing,” he said. “Students did not have to worry about tests and assignments.”

According to Canfield, the movie night is an opportunity for people to be part of the movie culture without the price tag.

“What makes the movie night at CU different from a cinema is that it gives students the opportunity to relax with friends without paying a dime,” she said.

“Students can have the same experience just like they would do in a movie theatre.”

6

Crossroads

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

Photo by Dianne Riddles

Caring for patients: Dr. Mithlo and all of the healthcare professionals at the Lawton Commumity Healthcare Center provide a variety of healthcare services to the community members who have insurance and to those who do not have insurance. Dr. Mithlo said compassion for patients is the common thread throughout the center.

Medical services available for uninsured Dianne Riddles Crossroads Editor

The unexpected expense of a physician office visit and buying prescription medications can have significant repercussions on anyones budget, but most certainly on a student budget.

Although Cameron University students are able to turn to the on-campus Student Wellness Center to help ease these burdens, the Lawton Community Health Center is available to help students with chronic health issues.

Maria Mithlo, M.D., is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and

the Medical Director of the LCHC. According to Dr. Mithlo, the LCHC is a 501c3 charitable organization that is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.

Dr. Mithlo said that the LCHC is a comprehensive family-focused community healthcare center that offers primary medical, pediatric and behavioral health care, as well as access to dental services to patients.

She said that the organization has served the residents of Comanche County and surrounding

counties since January 2008, providing primary care in an affordable manner.

“I know that even after five years there are a lot of people who do not know about us, and I would like to tell the community that we are here,” Dr. Mithlo said. “There are so many services that we can provide.”

Dr. Mithlo said that in addition to providing internal medicine, family practice and pediatric services to individuals with Medicaid (SoonerCare), Medicare and private insurance, the LCHC also provides healthcare to those residents who do not have health insurance.

According to Dr. Mithlo,

patients are required to provide proof of income to ensure they receive the discounts for which they are eligible. For patients without insurance, care is provided on a sliding fee schedule, which is based on the number of individuals living in the household and the total household income.

Dr. Mithlo said that the LCHC provides patients in all age groups with a location and a physician for ongoing healthcare with the physicians and staff serving as the patient’s primary healthcare provider. Each patient chooses his or her physician, and that physician sees that patient on an ongoing basis.

The physicians and staff also assist individuals and their families with access to other needed medical services.

According to Dr. Mithlo, the LCHC hopes to expand healthcare services in the future by offering dental and psychiatric services; however, at this time, the physicians and staff are available to assist with arrangements for medications and referrals for services that the LCHC does not currently provide.

“For the last two or three months, we have had the services of a social worker,” she said. “She has helped so much, and she is very much appreciated.”

Dr. Mithlo said that she

McGrath said that in one project held a year ago, the organization maintained three plots in the Community Garden as part of their plant a row campaign to benefit the community. For this project they grew okra, squash, melons and cucumbers, then donated the goods to the Lawton Food Bank.

On Sept. 18, Moms and Dads teamed up with CU Be Smart to learn ways of time management as well as good study habits.

McGrath hopes that parent students, even if they are not in Moms and Dads on Campus,

check out CU Be Smart to see what they have to offer.

“One cool thing they have done is put toys in a lot of the offices around campus, so if parents have to bring their kids to campus there is something for the kids to play with,” she said. “It may seem like a small thing, but it is actually a big deal to be able to come on campus with your kid and not feel like you are doing something wrong or you are not welcome.”

On Sept. 28, Moms and Dads will hold a community showcase. The showcase will be about food and being on a budget, and people will show off their talents as well.

McGrath said that this showcase would be not only entertaining, but educational as well. Members will explain the Food Bank and what kind of resources they have, and teach students who are on Photo courtesy of Moms and Dads on Campus their own for the first time how to easily and cheaply make food for themselves.

“We have a small group, and I am hoping after this event people come in and get to know us,” she said.

The meetings are open for all to attend. Dinner is served during meetings to help the moms and dads save time in their busy schedules.

McGrath said anyone is welcome to attend and she encouraged bringing food to the meeting, which helps everyone and makes newcomers feel welcome.

For further information Photo by Dianne Riddles McGrath may be contacted at tmcgrath@cameron.edu or Talking points: Moms and Dads first meeting this 580.581.2925. semester. The meeting included a covered dish dinner.

is proud to be the medical director of the LCHC and she is passionate about the services that are provided.

“When I first came aboard five years ago, I really loved the idea, because Lawton really needs a place like this,” she said. “To me, the most important thing about this clinic is the compassionate care we give. We all work together as a group with a shared compassion for the patients.”

Additional information about the LCHC, the services offered and where to send tax-deductible charitable donations is available at 3811 W. Gore Blvd., or 580.248.5242.

Moms and Dads helping students and community James Meeks

but also tries to have days when they can bring their kids Staff Writer to campus for family time.

“Parents and kids can come Moms and Dads on and enjoy some entertainment, Campus is an organization that caters to the students who then work together on these projects,” McGrath said. are parents and who not only “That’s one of the main things try to make Cameron a more family-friendly place, but also we want to do — have events so families can come together give back to the community. and have fun, and have a Adviser Teri McGrath learning experience together so said that former student kids appreciate college as much Sarah Parks founded the as their parents do.” organization four years ago.

The organization is also According to McGrath, a community service group Moms and Dads on Campus where families can work strives to hold events and together and be in the learning workshops for the parents experience. attending Cameron classes,

7

Sports

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

Tennis teams scrimmage at home Tyler Boydston Sports Editor

Cameron University’s women and men’s tennis teams prepared for their seasons with scrimmages against Oklahoma Baptist University on Sept. 11 at CU’s Streich-Henry tennis courts.

The women’s tennis team also had a scheduled scrimmage against the University of Central Oklahoma on Sept. 14, though it was cancelled.

Head tennis coach James Helvey said that the scrimmages against OBU gave the tennis teams a chance to try out new things.

“It was our first time out,” Helvey said. “We had different doubles combinations that we have not played before. We are using it to test out different things.”

The tennis teams are currently preparing for their fall season, in which NCAA restrictions give them a 45day window to practice and play their tournaments.

“In the fall semester we start practicing usually around the second week of school,” Helvey said. “From the NCAA division II tennis we have a 45-day window in which we have 24 days

to play and practice. In the spring we have the entire season, though we give the players a day or two off during the week.”

According to Helvey, the teams are preparing not just for the fall season, but also the spring season.

“Our practices depend on the time of the year,” Helvey said. “We do different things during different times of the year. In the fall, our focus is more on individual tournaments and needs. We are picking up this season where we left off in the spring.”

Helvey said that the teams’ focus will shift during the spring semester, when the teams will be focusing on a different dynamic.

“We have several individual tournaments where it is the player winning and not the team,” Helvey said. “The dynamic is completely different when we get into January, when team championship season begins.

We are looking into our team concept and different doubles pairings.”

The tennis teams have also been preparing for their first tournament of the season, the Midwestern State Tournament, taking place on Sept. 21 and 22.

“It will probably

have three flights at the Midwestern State Tournament,” Helvey said.

“Our team is typically strong, so we can put more players in the top flight.”

According to Helvey, the focus for getting new players ready for the team is based less on practice and performance and more on having them welcomed to the team.

“The challenges are more off the court than on,” Helvey said. “The little things add up, so I pay more attention to that and those needs than I do on the court, because I want them to be more acclimated and oriented; if they feel more comfortable here, then they will feel more comfortable on the court.”

Though Helvey expects his teams to do well on the court, he also expects them to perform well in the classroom throughout the semester.

“We have a lot of pride in our tennis teams,” Helvey said. “ I expect them to be successful not only on the court, but also in the classroom.”

The tennis teams will be playing this semester from Photo by Tyler Boydston Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 in Abilene, Texas and again from Oct. Eye on the ball: Junior Duje Janjic prepares to return the ball to his teammate during 11 to 14 in Mobile, Alabama. practice. The tennis teams will be playing from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 in Abilene, Texas.

Intramurals give students a chance to play Amanda Goemmer

available to them.

“You can sign up as a free Staff Writer agent … just go in and request to be on teams that are looking Cameron University’s fall for players,” Canfield said. “It intramural athletic program is is a great opportunity to make in full swing. new friends.”

According to Student An added incentive to be a Activities Specialist Megan participant in an intramural Canfield, several sporting sport at CU, according events are still wide open for to Canfield, is that it will individuals and groups who not impact the participant want to get in on the action. financially.

“Many sports are still open “We do not charge students for registration,” Canfield said. to participate,” Canfield said.

“Students may join a team that “Here at CU, all intramural has already been created or sports that you want to play sign up as a captain and create are free.” their own team.”

Photo by Amanda Goemmer According to Canfield, the Canfield also said that intramurals program has been students are not the only ones Time to play: CU students play a game of volleyball in the intramural athletic undergoing some changes, and who are invited to sign up for program. The intramural volleyball games began on Sept. 12 and are scheduled to there are some new additions an intramural sport at CU. end on Sept. 27, with Flag Football starting three days later. to the usual list of sports that “Almost anyone is welcome have been offered in the past. to participate in intramurals,” program options can still to register for, and it is just as “Students can also look at the “We are trying to do a she said. “You just have to be give individuals a chance to easy to keep up with recent scores on the site as soon as the bit of expansion; we ran the a CU student, faculty or staff get active and have a blast scores from each of the events, games are over.” changes through the Athletic member, or someone who has a with their friends: co-ed and because CU uses a website Canfield said that if a Department, and Student membership to the Aggie Rec men’s flag football, swimming, that is geared toward making potential participant has Activities has now taken it Center.” pingpong doubles and singles, participation a breeze. trouble organizing a group, under its wing,” Canfield said.

Even though the men’s and women’s three on “Its called IMleagues.com but still wishes to play in any registration windows for three basketball, and archery … they have over 450 schools of the group based intramural “I am trying to make it more visible and offer more options.” both dodgeball and volleyball duos and singles. that are using it right now sports, they would not have One sport that is brand new have already closed, Canfield According to Canfield, the and it makes it easy for people to miss out on all of the fun, said that the following intramurals program is easy to register,” Canfield said. because there is another option to the Spring 2013 intramural

lineup is Frisbee golf.

“The Rec Center just put in the 18-hole Frisbee golf course around campus right before school started,” Canfield said.

“It will be an option as a spring intramural sport, and as of right now students can check out disks from the Rec Center or bring their own disc to play on the course.”

Canfield said that those teams and individuals that succeed in making it to the top, seizing victory in the final matches of each respective event, would be rewarded.

“The winners get a T-shirt and their pictures go on the Intramural’s Hall of Fame board in the Rec Center for the year,” Canfield said.

However, she stressed the point of intramural participation is not just about competing for bragging rights and CU swag.

“The point of intramurals is just to have fun,” Canfield said.

More information regarding the CU intramurals program is available at the Office of Student Activities by calling 580.581.2217.

New Sports Information Director begins at CU Matthew Berberea Managing Editor

While Cameron University underwent renovations around campus between semesters, the Athletics Department also saw some change over the summer.

Don Vieth joined the Aggies June 15 as the new Sports Information Director. Vieth brings years of experience to the Aggies, having worked in the sports field at Winona State, his alma mater, as well as Division I High Point University.

Originally from Mauston, Wisc., Vieth joined the Aggies from the Lone Star Conference office where he helped form the relationship between FoxSportsSouthwest.com

and the LSC. This experience as well as his background in sports and multimedia is what Vieth said led him to CU. “I was actually at the Lone Star Conference office and did some work for them for the last six months,” Vieth said, “and I did a lot of multimedia work for the conference travelling from school to school.

“I visited Cameron a few times and enjoyed it here and when the job came up I thought it was a good fit and I wanted to get back on a campus.”

Vieth said that the relationships and excitement offered by a campus experience is what started his search for an opening at a university.

“I wanted to get back on to a campus, working for

the LSC, they had some great people and it was a great experience to work for a conference office but I am a campus person.” Vieth said. “You see the same four people all the time (with the conference), missing interaction with the student athletes the faculty and just being on campus, there is a lot more energy to that.”

Vieth had some time to get situated before games begin as CU did not have its first home game until Sept.

18. He said that he is looking forward to being courtside working the games and getting into the swing of the season.

“I am excited to get our games underway,” Vieth said, “we are in mid-September and we have not had a home game yet. Once we get games underway it is going to be

great having fans come to our games and just to get the ball going with the day-to-day operations of this office.”

As a new SID Vieth said he will be looking to make some changes to help promote Cameron athletics.

One area he said he looks to impact immediately is the social media presence of CU athletics.

“I think one big thing is our social media aspect,” Vieth said. “I am a very competitive guy and I like to see us being on top for our social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.”

Beyond competition, Vieth recognized that Cameron has a widespread fan base with military families as well as international students. He said this is one of the reasons it is necessary to provide instant access to stats and

video through social media outlets.

“We have alumni from around the nation as well as international athletes and social media is the best way to be interactive with the student body.” Vieth said.

“Our goal is 1,000 twitter and Facebook follows.”

Additional information on Don Vieth as well as Aggie Athletics can be found at www.cameronaggies. com or www.facebook.com/ cameronaggies.

Photo by Matthew Berberea

At the game: Student assistant Kenton Means and Sports Information Director Don Vieth watch over the volleyball game that took place Sept. 18.

8

Sports

September 24, 2012 www.aggiecentral.com

Photo by Matthew Berberea

Surfing the net: Cameron University freshman Kathryn Evans spikes against Dallas Baptist. CU’s volleyball team lost to Dallas Baptist 3-1 in the match that took place on Sept. 18.

Volleyball takes on Dallas Baptist Matthew Berberea Managing Editor

Cameron University kicked off conference play this week followed by their home opener on Sept. 18 against Dallas Baptist.

Facing off against #13 Angelo State Sept. 14 on the road proved to be too much as the Aggies fell in three straight sets (21-25, 17-25, 16-25).

The first set saw back and forth action as neither team was able to pull away early on.

With the score tied at 9-9, ASU pulled away and found themselves with a 18-11 lead.

CU rallied behind two kills from freshman Kathryn Evans and closed within two points, 21-19. It was not enough,

however, as Angelo was able to finish strong and win the first set 25-21.

The rest of the match would not go well for CU as Angelo State came out on fire taking the second set 17-25 and the third set 16-25.

For CU, Evans and Shannon Dulaney led the way offensively combining for 20 kills while Mariah Westlake shined on defense.

“We had come good moments tonight,” coach Tabbert said. “Shannon and Kathryn both put on some dominating stretches, and Mariah did a good job defensively.

“This is a part of the process with having a young team.

The good thing is that we have

a quick turn around with a match against Tarleton State tomorrow at noon so can move forward quickly.”

Cameron looked to rebound against Tarleton State but this proved to be a tough task and ultimately the Aggies fell to the TexAnns in three straight sets (23-25, 13-25, 16-25).

Once again the Aggies came out strong early. The first set saw back and forth action with neither team able to gain an early edge.

After trailing by a few points early on, the Black and Gold battled back and tied the set at 8-8 on a Shannon Dulaney kill. Moments later CU took the lead on an attack error by the TexAnns Katie Covell.

The first set remained in the balance as both teams traded one-point leads finding themselves tied at 21-21. The TexAnns finished strong behind kills from Nikki McNortan and Danielle Barker as CU was unable to close it out, dropping the first set 23-25.

In what seemed like a repeat of the previous night against Angelo State, Cameron had trouble getting anything going in the second and third set, dropping them 13-25 and 1625 respectively.

Jenna Risoli and Shannon Dulaney both had doubledoubles but it would not be enough for Cameron University. After the match, coach Tabbert said a couple

of breakdowns led to some opportunities on which Tarleton was able to capitalize.

“Tarleton turned it up offensively and they have some big arms,” said Tabbert. “We just had some bad stretches later in the match and they are good enough team who will take advantage that.”

Next the Aggies faced nonconference opponent Dallas Baptist in Aggie Gym on Sept.

18.

CU came out strong in the their first home match of the season but it was not enough as they fell in four sets (23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25) The Aggies once again played their opponent close but were unable to finish strong in the first two sets, which were

decided by only two points.

After falling behind two sets, CU bounced back to take set three but it was not enough as DBU took the fourth and final set.

Kathryn Evans paced the offense for the Aggies collecting a career high 19 kills and Jenna Risoli added 45 assists.

Coach Tabbert said this match was difficult to take but recognized the strong effort from freshman standout Evans.

“This was a tough match for us emotionally,” said Tabbert.

“We had several players in their first home match but we had several opportunities tonight that we did not capitalize on.

“Kat had a great night for us with 19 kills so that was encouraging to see from her.”

Cross-country trains after the Texas Tech Open Tyler Boydston

eyes toward the end of the season.”

Sports Editor Kreger said that the team’s training over the first Cameron University’s weeks of the semester might men’s cross country team have been the reason for placed sixth at the Sept. 14 their sixth place finish.

Texas Tech Open.

“Training caught up on Five of the eleven teams our guys at the Texas Tech running in the Texas Tech Open,” he said, “but we will Open were Lone Star bounce back with our meet Conference teams. at the end of September.”

Men’s cross-country The Texas Tech Open coach Casey Kreger said presented the opportunity that the course that the for colleges to come run team ran on was a fast from all districts, and for course, and the meet community runners not featured good teams of runners that his team had to attached to universities to attend and enter the race as go up against. well.

“There were a lot of “It is just like a majority good teams and conference of college races,” Kreger schools there, with Texas Tech and some of the other said. “Open means that colleges in the area,” Kreger any colleges can come, and there are some said. “It’s a good and fast unattached runners from course — the footing is the community that are fast pretty good out there, but enough to be in the meet.” there are a lot of small The team is now rolling hills that catch up on preparing for the Oklahoma the players later on in the State University Cowboy course.”

According to Kreger, the Jamboree, set to take place Sept. 29. team was thorough in their “We are still training practices for the Texas Tech hard,” Kreger said. “The Open.

Jamboree will be a more “We trained hard,” serious race.”

Kreger said. “We upped According to Kreger, the training intensity and the Jamboree is a more mileage. We are keeping our

Photo by Tyler Boydston

Running in stride: Junior Thomas Toth, senior Moses Kipkosgei and sophomore Janis Pastars practice for the team’s next meet. The men’s cross-country team is set to run again in their next meet on Saturday, Sept. 29. challenging course than the one found at the Texas Tech Open.

“The course is a little bit tougher, and the competition is ten times tougher than usual,” Kreger said. “There is more competition and fewer gaps at the Jamboree. We will be ready for it and be more prepared.”

Kreger explained that the team intended to help at the Lone Star Football Championship on Saturday, Sept. 15, but were not able to due to issues with transportation.

“We planned on taking our team to the Dallas Cowboy Stadium to sell programs, where we would get a certain percentage of

the profits,” Kreger said. “It was not just going to be a fundraiser, but also a means to go down to the city and have a good team-building experience.”

The cross-country team also plans on having a charity run in December to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

“We’re having a charity

run on December 8,” Kreger said. “I’m the co-director and we are holding it at Elmer Thomas Park. It is our biggest fund raiser of the semester, and we are trying to promote fitness and running.”

The cross-country team’s next meet will be on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Stillwater.